SANTIAGO, Chile – Chileans are voting Sunday in a presidential runoff election that pits leftist candidate Jeannette Jara against far-right contender José Antonio Kast, following a first round that saw neither candidate secure an outright majority. The election will determine who succeeds the current president, Gabriel Boric, and chart the course for the South American nation amidst ongoing economic challenges and social divisions. With over 15.7 million eligible voters, the outcome remains uncertain as recent polling suggests a slight edge for Kast despite Jara’s initial lead in the November vote.
More than 15.7 million Chilean citizens are eligible to vote in a presidential runoff election Sunday that will determine the country’s next leader.
Chileans are heading to the polls to choose between progressive candidate Jeannette Jara and right-wing contender José Antonio Kast as the successor to current President Gabriel Boric.
Polling stations opened at 8:00 a.m. local time Sunday and are scheduled to close at 6:00 p.m. local time, provided there are no voters still waiting to cast their ballots.
Over 15.7 million citizens are registered to vote in the election, which will decide who will serve as President of the South American nation for the 2026-2030 term.
Call to Vote
Pamela Figueroa, president of Chile’s Electoral Service (Servel), recently urged all eligible citizens to participate in the election.
“Voting is mandatory in Chile and voluntary abroad; therefore, it is important that each voter check their polling place and fulfill their civic duty,” Figueroa stated.
Jara, a member of the Communist Party and representing the governing coalition of progressive forces, led the first round of voting on November 16, securing 26.8 percent of the vote. However, she did not achieve the majority needed to win outright.
Kast secured the second position with 23.9 percent of the valid votes cast. Recent polls, however, suggest he is favored in Sunday’s runoff.
According to a Plaza Pública Cadem poll released before the pre-election blackout period, the candidate from the right-wing Republican Party held a 58 percent preference among voters, while Jara received 42 percent of the intended vote.
Jara is now looking to rally support from citizens who oppose Kast, a far-right politician who has campaigned on promises of stricter security measures, including maximum-security prisons, increased border controls, harsher penalties, and the deportation of immigrants – a platform echoing policies of former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Ten la información al instante en tu celular. Únete al canal de Diario Primicia en WhatsApp a través del siguiente link: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VagwIcc4o7qP30kE1D0
También estamos en Telegram como @DiarioPrimicia, únete aquí: https://t.me/diarioprimicia
